Brave Donatella and the Jasmine Thief

Brave Donatella is based on a legend about the real Duke of Florence, Cosimo de Medici. Legend has it that explorers brought him flowering Jasmine vines all the way from India, making him the first to grow the fragrant vine in Italy.

Cosimo de Medici was not a nice man. He was known to be brutal to his enemies. The story follows the imaginary character of Brave Donatella who outwits Cosimo and saves the life of the gardener who dares to steal a sprig of jasmine.

Brave Donatella and the Jasmine Thief was illustrated by Donald Hendricks. It was a 2010 Junior Library Guild Selection.

After I wrote the book, I planted some Jasmine at my house. The vine has grown up the side of the house! And every spring my front walk smells like a beautiful mixture of spices.